The Truth About Lies (An Inheritance Cycle Fanfiction)

Ripples Upon the Surface

Tabatha.

Amera's voice cut through my mind like a knife, shocking me back to myself. The woman with the striking eyes still knelt in my lap, gazing up at me in delirious wonderment, but I was so far removed from this time and this place that I barely paid her any mind. I could vaguely hear someone calling out my name, but Amera's was the only voice I truly registered.

Tabatha, come away from there. Tabatha! Her voice was frantic, but I could not see her. Slowly, I stood and backed away from the woman on the ground. Arms encircled my shoulders, pulling me away from the crowd. It took me a moment to realize it was Arya that led me away. Eragon stood in front of me, directing the two elves with the blankets to take the woman away. Where it was they would take her, I had no idea.

"Come this way," Arya said, though her voice sounded muffled and far away. She was guiding me across the courtyard and through the massive crowds.

I'm right behind you, Amera said, and I could hear the pounding of her footsteps behind me. By the look of terror on the faces of the people in front of me, I had to guess she was very close behind.

We exited the main gates of the citadel—or what remained of them, anyways—and headed towards one of the large row houses that had once belonged to a noble of Galbatorix's court. Nasuada had taken it over as her headquarters, until the citadel was safe to live in once more. Arya said something to the guards that flanked the front doors, and they moved aside to allow us to pass through. Inside, it was a beautiful home, decorated with tapestries and paintings, and appointed with fine materials. But I saw none of it. My mind seemed to be in a fog. I couldn't think clearly, and my feet seemed to be moving of their own accord.

Up the stairs and down a long hall we went, until finally Arya deposited me in a large bedroom, sitting me down carefully in a high-backed, plush chair. It faced a set of glass double doors that led to a wide balcony overlooking the beautiful gardens in the courtyard.

"Stay here, Tabatha," Arya said. "I will return shortly. Amera is right outside." I gazed out the glass doors and saw she was right. Amera paced back and forth on the huge balcony, peering in at me through the glass panes.

I barely noticed when Arya left the room. Say something, Tabatha, Amera said quietly. She had stopped pacing, and was now seated on the marble balcony. But the tip of her tail twitched wildly, betraying what she truly felt.

I... I don't know what to say. Even my mental voice sounded weak, for that was exactly the way that I felt. All of my energy had been drained out of me, and every movement or thought seemed labored. How can this be? I asked her.

She snorted slightly, fogging up the glass. It seems like a cruel trick. We must investigate further before jumping to conclusions.

She seemed so sure and calculated, and I was anything but. What else could it be? I asked desperately. You saw her, Amera; you saw the color of her eyes. Why would Galbatorix have someone like that locked in his dungeon if not...

Calm down, Tabatha, she said in a soothing voice. My breathing had quickened and I heard my heart pounding in my chest. We'll discover the truth of it, one way or another. Let us wait for Eragon and Saphira, and Nasuada as well; they will know what to do.

I felt my chest tighten involuntarily, and I buried my face in my hands. I wish Murtagh and Thorn were here. Amera's sadness washed over me, mingling with my own.

So do I, little one. So do I. We sat like that for another few moments, with our spirits wrapped around one another in comfort. But it was not long until the door to the room burst open. And through it came Nasuada, dressed in a beautiful silk dress the color of freshly spilt blood.